by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

MEMPHIS - Russell Westbrook acted perplexed when he heard FedEx Forum referred to as the "Grindhouse" before Thursday night's Game 3 playoff clash against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The All-Star guard's reintroduction came in the form of a 98-95 overtime loss in which the Grizzlies used their signature grit-and-grind pace to control the tempo early and escape the late-charging Oklahoma City Thunder's rally despite a fourth quarter drought. Memphis won its second consecutive overtime game to jump ahead 2-1 in the Western Conference series.

"Coming home I thought we played even keel," Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said. "We were pretty sharp for most of the game. ... We got a little slow a little tentative with the lead."

Game 3 followed a strikingly similar theme to Game 2 for the Thunder. Westbrook and Kevin Durant hoisted up a lot of shots - making a fair share to finish with 30 points apiece - but the tandem's offense wasn't enough to pull off a win. Westbrook (9-for-26) and Durant (10-for-27) both had a chance to tie the game in the final 30 seconds of overtime but couldn't convert on three-point attempts. Durant missed all eight of his attempts from beyond the arc.

"We got to make some shots," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "I don't know if they were all good shots."

Westbrook added, "I took some bad ones. I've gotta do a better job of attacking."

Tony Allen came up big with two buckets in the final minute to put the Grizzlies up 85-81, but he fouled Westbrook for a four-point play that knotted the score at 85-all to send the game into an extra period.

Memphis fed off key baskets from Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol in overtime and used a balanced attack to keep a comfortable lead throughout - leading 71-61 after three quarters, 44-36 at halftime and 24-18 after the first quarter. Conley led the way with 20 points, while Zach Randolph added 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Gasol finished with 14 points and eight rebounds and Allen contributed 16 points and nine boards.

Courtney Lee clinched the win in overtime, hitting three of four free throws in the final 10.9 seconds.

It's back to the drawing board for the Thunder.

"We need to do a few things better," Brooks said before the game. "That's the game plan is just to do them better."

Those few things didn't happen in Game 3. Game 4, also in Memphis, is Saturday night (9:30 ET, ESPN).